Iran: Owning a pet could soon be worth jail time

Iran has tightened pet ownership laws in recent months. The bans already in place are very restrictive, and this is just the beginning. Recently, it was made a crime to walk your dog in a park. The reason given by the police? “Protect Public Safety”.

But that is not all. Iran’s parliament plans to pass a draft law on the protection of public rights against animals in the near future, which would limit the ownership of pets in all areas.

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A license to own a pet

If this new law is adopted, it will now be necessary to have a permit issued by a special commission to own a pet. There would also be a minimum fine of 790 euros for the “import, purchase and sale, transport and custody” of certain animals, such as common pets such as cats, turtles and rabbits. .

“Debates around this bill began more than a decade ago when a group of Iranian lawmakers tried to push through a law to confiscate all dogs and give them to zoos or leave them in deserts, Dr Payam Mohebi, president of the Veterinary Association of Iran and opponent of the bill, told the BBC. They’ve changed it several times over the years and even discussed corporal punishment for dog owners. But their plan came to nothing.”

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Animal symbols of the West

While Iran now imposes very restrictive laws, the country was one of the first in the Middle East to adopt animal welfare laws, in 1948. The royal family itself had dogs as pets.

But the Islamic revolution of 1979 changed everything. Animals are considered impure, and the dog has become its symbol “Westernization” that Iran is trying to stem. “There hasn’t been robust regulation of dog ownership, Tehran vet Dr Ashkan Shemirani told the BBC. Police forces are arresting people who walk their dogs or even drive them based on their interpretation of what could be seen as symbols of Westernization.”

Dr Shemirani says authorities have even set up a “jail” for the abducted animals. “We’ve heard a lot of horror stories from this placeHe added. The animals were held for several days in open areas without adequate food and water while the dog owners faced all sorts of legal issues.”

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Ban on the import of animal feed

Authorities have also banned pet food imports for more than three years. And the locally produced food is of poor quality. “We are very dependent on people smuggling food”he revealed.

The vet also points out that dogs aren’t the only ones bearing the brunt of these laws. Cats are also targeted, including Persian cats, which originate in Iran.

“Can you believe that now Persian cats are no longer safe in their homeland? There is no logic behind this law. The diehards want to show people their iron fist”concludes.

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